Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

In the dark days of winter it is comforting to feel the warmth of crackling logs in an open fireplace or a wood burner.


What could be friendlier to the planet than using a renewable resource such as wood?


Unfortunately, the fumes from wood fires carry microscopic particles of soot.


Particles known as PM2.5 are possibly one of the most dangerous air pollution health hazards.



Even though a minority of UK households use wood fires 7.5 per cent of the population the pollution
from these particles are estimated to be more than double that from UK's diesel cars, buses and lorries.

Even a single log burning stove emits more PM2.5 particles than 1,000 petrol cars each year.

Previous studies have suggested that wood smoke can enter neighbouring homes, even if wood is burnt in
modern stoves rather than open fires. Simply starting the fire, stoking it and reloading the burner can give off sooty particles.



The department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issues warnings of high air pollution
from noxious gases, yet only issues "notifications" of high particle levels.



Defra's recent annual report on air pollution admitted that the UK was in breach of international limits for pollutants.
It also revealed that particle pollution is increasing, with levels of most other air pollutants are falling.



The health risks from PM2.5 are especially worrying because these particles are so small that they can easily
be breathed deep into the lungs, which can lead to health issues such as asthma, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.



In addition to health problems, these particles trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change.



It is a myth that wood burning is environmentally friendly. There needs to be a public awareness campaign of the
dangers from wood burning, in the same way that the hazards of diesel car pollution have received a great deal of publicity.

http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/pmq_a.htm

whitewolfowner

If this was true, a forest fire would wipe out the planet. What idiot wrote that?

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

A Libturd of course.

whitewolfowner

I know all too well but didn't want to start a war. They just don't know when to quit whining!

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!! More BS from the left!

bluescreek Loc: N.C. Sandhills

I have a wood fire every weekend of the winter on my deck, helps keep the liberals away, I reckon.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

I hate generalizations. If they are go to do a study and publish it should be done on a stove by stove basis and not try to lump them all in the same. Have they done the same study on coke? Some one thinks they need an agenda and goes for it. From what I know very few use wood but many use coke for the winter heat.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

People have been burning wood from the beginning of time. I don't recall ever hearing that someone died from soot on their lungs..... give me a break.

leftj Loc: Texas

I'm going to assume this was written as a joke. No one could be that stupid. Oh wait, I forgot about Al Gore.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

If I survived the fireplace growing up then I guess I can survive any air born toxin.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

I demand equal time in evaluating the negative effects of a burrito fart.

Sarge69

leftj Loc: Texas

You can probably get a government grant to study that but you need to hurry before Barack "10 Trillion $ Deficit" Obama leaves office. The next administration might not be so accommodating.

whitewolfowner

And all his crony followers. Remember, he got the nobel peace prize. I had a good raunchy fart the other day and sent it to the middle east in a bottle. I'll be applying for the nobel peace prize for next year for my efforts towards peace. Remember to vote for me!

whitewolfowner

Earworms Loc: Sacramento, California

I'm sure there are plenty more where that one came from.